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Vol. 204 Wednesday, No. 6 29 September 2010 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES SEANAD ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Wednesday, 29 September 2010. Business of Seanad ………………………………581 Order of Business …………………………………582 Order of Business: Motion ……………………………607 Business of Seanad ………………………………607 Legal Proceedings: Motion ……………………………607 Provision of Health Services by the HSE: Statements (resumed) ………………608 End of Life Care: Motion ………………………………615 Business of Seanad ………………………………642 Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion … … … 642 Business of Seanad ………………………………654 Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion (resumed) … … 654 Adjournment Matters: Health Services ………………………………660 Drug Treatment Programme ……………………………662 Gaming and Lotteries Legislation …………………………664 SEANAD ÉIREANN ———— Dé Céadaoin, 29 Meán Fómhair 2010. Wednesday, 29 September 2010. ———— Chuaigh an Cathaoirleach i gceannas ar 2.30 p.m. ———— Paidir. Prayer. ———— Business of Seanad. An Cathaoirleach: I have received notice from Senator Maria Corrigan that, on the motion for the Adjournment of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health and Children to give an update on initiatives being undertaken to raise awareness, provide education and deliver support regarding the incidence and impact of anaphylaxis. I have also received notice from Senator Nicky McFadden of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health and Children to appoint a dedicated doctor for clients who are on methadone in the midlands region. I have also received notice from Senator James Carroll of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Justice and Law Reform to reform the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 and to indicate whether there are any plans in the current review to include an obligation for establishments to have a minimum percentage payout on gambling machines. I have also received notice from Senator Fidelma Healy Eames of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to clarify whether she is aware that long-term damage is caused to children’s backs and overall posture by backward-sloping school chairs that are used as standard practice in all Irish schools today. I have also received notice from Senator Jerry Buttimer of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health and Children to make a statement on the provision of podiatry services to people with diabetes in Cork. I have also received notice from Senator Cecilia Keaveney of the following matter: The need for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to intro- duce a more user-friendly system through the local authorities, similar to that used for car tax, to remind those registered as second home owners to pay their annual fee, in order to overcome the unfair imposition of penalties at present. 581 Order of 29 September 2010. Business. [An Cathaoirleach.] I have also received notice from Senator Pearse Doherty of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to clarify whether she expects a delay in the processing of student maintenance grants and to indicate the steps she will take to handle any such delay. I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion on the Adjournment. I have selected the matters raised by Senators Corrigan, McFadden and Carroll and they will be taken at the conclusion of business. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise. Order of Business. Senator Donie Cassidy: I would like to express my and the House’s regret on the sad passing of one of the oldest retired Members of the Oireachtas, who passed away in August at the age of 95. Séamus Dolan was a native of Blacklion, County Cavan, and served as a Fianna Fáil Deputy and Senator from 1961 until his retirement in 1981. He was a teacher and a farmer, was born in 1914 near Blacklion and was first elected to the Dáil in 1961. Following the 1965 elections in which he was defeated, he was elected to Seanad Éireann where he spent the rest of his national political career. Following a four-year absence from 1969, he was again re- elected to the Seanad fin 1973. His greatest honour came in 1977 when he was elected Cathaoir- leach of the House and served until his retirement in 1981. As we all know, he was a great Irishman and was very proud of his country, his history and the Irish language. As a fluent Irish speaker, he took every opportunity to promote the Irish language and its use. I extend our sympathy to his wife Bríd, his daughters, sons and grandchildren. We hope to pay tribute to Séamus Dolan at a future date, along with tributes to former Senator James Dooge and to have the families present. It is with deep regret that we learned of the death of former Senator, Professor James Dooge, who passed away on Friday, 20 August 2010 at the age of 88. Jim was a former Minister for Foreign Affairs and a leading Member of the Seanad for almost 30 years. He played an important role in the development of the Euro- pean Union. He is the last Senator to have been appointed to the Cabinet and one of only two Members of the Upper House who have had that great distinction. Jim was predeceased by his wife Ronnie and daughter Melissa. He will be sadly missed and we extend our deepest sym- pathy to his family and grandchildren. On behalf of the House, I offer them our sincere sym- pathy. Go ndéanfaidh Dia trócaire ar a anam. I only heard this morning of the sad passing of former Senator Evelyn Owens. We will pay tribute to these three Senate colleagues at a future date and give Members an opportunity to express their sympathy. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding time allocation for the Order of Business; No. 2, motion regarding defence of legal action; No. 3, statements on the provision of health services by the HSE; No. 4, motion regarding Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) Scheme 2010; No. 36, Private Members’ motion No. 15, regarding end of life care in hospitals. It is proposed that Nos. 1 and 2 shall be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business. No. 3, statements on the provision of health services by the HSE shall resume not earlier than 4.30 p.m. and conclude not later than 5.30 p.m. Spokespersons have already made statements and all other Senators will have seven minutes. They may share time with the agreement of the House. The Minister shall be called upon ten minutes before the conclusion of the debate to make closing comments and take questions from leaders or spokespersons. No. 36, Private Members’ motion No. 15, shall be taken at 5.30 p.m. and con- 582 Order of 29 September 2010. Business. clude not later than 7.30 p.m. No. 4, motion regarding Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) Scheme 2010, shall be taken at the conclusion of No. 36 and conclude not later than 7.30 p.m. Spokespersons may speak for 12 minutes and other Members for ten minutes and Senators may share time, by agreement of the House. Senator David Norris: Two items are to conclude simultaneously at 7.30 p.m. I believe the Leader has made a mistake. An Cathaoirleach: With regard to the expressions of sympathy, is the Leader proposing that there will be official Seanad tributes to deceased Members at a later date? Senator Donie Cassidy: I will make a proposal at a later date. Senator Liam Twomey: I seek clarification. With regard to the debate on the extension of the guarantee scheme, the Leader said it would conclude at 7.30 p.m. Senator Donie Cassidy: No, it is to commence at 7.30 p.m. and conclude at 9.30 p.m. If additional time is needed, I will propose an amendment to the Order of Business. Senator Liam Twomey: No, that is fine. An Cathaoirleach: Before I call Senator Fitzgerald on the Order of Business, I wish to refer briefly to No. 2 on the Order Paper. As the House will be aware, I informed all Members by letter that Senator Callely had initiated judicial review proceedings in the High Court against the seven members of the Committee on Members’ Interests of Seanad Éireann, the committee and Seanad Éireann. The House is required by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Acts to authorise a legal team to conduct a defence of the legal proceedings. Under Standing Orders, this function is assigned to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on behalf of the House and the committee has already met to discuss the matter. The Leader has proposed that No. 2 be taken without debate. The case is due to be heard in the High Court next week. I, therefore, ask each Member to refrain from commenting on the case. I look forward to receiving their co-operation in the matter. Senator Frances Fitzgerald: The Seanad resumes at a time when the most serious and critical issues face the country. To recap, the unemployment figure has increased to 442,417, an annual increase of 5.4%, while the cost of borrowing has skyrocketed to a level we could never pre- viously have imagined and is reaching close to unsustainable levels. It was 7% yesterday, but, thankfully, there has been a slight decrease today. The Anglo Irish Bank debacle continues and now a bank which we were told would need several billion euro looks like it will need €30 billion.